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Chest pain, trouble breathing or severe bleeding?Life-threatening emergency? Call 911.

Urgent care centers and walk-in clinics in Des Moines, IA

23urgent care centers and walk-in clinics serving Des Moines.

Urgent care centers and walk-in clinics in Des Moines

Showing 1–10 of 23, sorted by distance from the city center

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  • Urgent care
  • City center (distances measured from here)

All 23 urgent care centers in Des Moines, A to Z

Des Moines urgent care at a glance

Des Moines has 23 urgent care centers on our listings across 8 ZIP codes. 10 list Sunday hours and 8 stay open past 7 PM on at least one weekday. The closest to the city center is East Des Moines Family Care Center, 0.1 mi away.

  • 23urgent care centers
  • 0list 24-hour hours
  • 10list Saturday hours
  • 10list Sunday hours
  • 8open past 7 PM on a weekday
  • 10list insurance networks
Closest to the city centerEast Des Moines Family Care Center0.1 mi from the city center

8 ZIP codes

  • 503095
  • 503105
  • 503143
  • 503163
  • 503122
  • 503152
  • 503202
  • 503171

Counts come from the listings above and the hours each clinic publishes. Hours are not listed for 9 of the 23. Hours and networks change, so call to confirm.

Open late, weekends and 24 hours in Des Moines

Open on Sunday 10

Open past 7 PM on weekdays 8

From the hours each clinic lists, in the same order as the list above; the list shows which are open right now. Hours change, so call to confirm.

Insurance networks listed by Des Moines clinics

10 of the 23 urgent care centers here list at least one insurance network. These are the networks listed on our listings, drawn from insurer directories; call the clinic to confirm your plan before you go. A network missing here does not mean a clinic does not take it.

  • Aetna8 of 23
  • Cigna7 of 23
  • UMR7 of 23
  • UnitedHealthcare7 of 23
  • Wellmark BCBS Iowa6 of 23
  • Medicare5 of 23
  • Humana2 of 23

Hospitals and emergency rooms in Des Moines

Chest pain, trouble breathing or severe bleeding? Call 911.

The hospitals and emergency departments we list in Des Moines. Our hospital listings are not complete, so this may not be every hospital in Des Moines.

Other clinics and medical services in Des Moines

31 listings that are not urgent care, such as primary care, specialists, pharmacies and hospitals. Open one for its own page.

  • 9Primary care
  • 7Hospital
  • 7Specialist
  • 4Medical practice
  • 3Emergency room
  • 1Imaging center
Iowa Methodist Medical Center - Emergency Department1200 Pleasant St, Des Moines, IA 50309Emergency roomMercyOne Children's Hospital Pediatric Emergency Care1111 6th Avenue East, Tower Level 1, Des Moines, IA 50314Emergency roomMercyOne Des Moines Emergency Care1111 6th Ave Level 1, Des Moines, IA 50314Emergency roomBlank Children's Hospital1200 Pleasant St, Des Moines, IA 50309HospitalBlank Children's Hospital : Health System Emergency Physical1200 Pleasant St, Des Moines, IA 50309HospitalBroadlawns Medical Center1801 Hickman Rd, Des Moines, IA 50314HospitalHospital1300 Woodland Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309HospitalIowa Lutheran Hospital700 E University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316HospitalMercyOne Des Moines Medical Center1111 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314HospitalMercyOne Hospitalists1111 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314Hospital

Urgent care vs. ER vs. primary care

General information, not specific to Des Moines: knowing where to go saves time and money. Here's how urgent care compares to a hospital ER and a primary care physician.

Urgent care

Today, when it can’t wait

Non-life-threatening illness or injury that can't wait for an appointment.

  • Flu, UTI, ear infection
  • Sprains and stitches
  • X-ray, COVID test
  • Sports physicals
Typical cost
$229–$445 self-pay; $25–$75 copay with insurance
Wait time
Usually 15–45 minutes; many offer online check-in.
Hours
Evenings and weekends; many open 7 days, some 24 hours.
Emergency room

Now, if it could be life-threatening

Life- or limb-threatening symptoms; severe pain, bleeding, breathing problems, suspected stroke or heart attack.

  • Chest pain
  • Stroke symptoms
  • Severe trauma or burns
  • Difficulty breathing
Typical cost
$1,200–$2,500+ self-pay; $150–$500+ copay with insurance
Wait time
Hours, depending on triage. Severe cases seen first.
Hours
24/7.
Primary care

In a day or two, or ongoing

Routine care, chronic conditions, ongoing health management. Schedule in advance.

  • Annual physical
  • Diabetes and blood pressure management
  • Screenings
  • Referrals
Typical cost
$100–$200 self-pay; $20–$40 copay with insurance
Wait time
Same-day availability rare; appointments often days to weeks out.
Hours
Weekday business hours, by appointment.
Chest pain, trouble breathing or severe bleeding? Call 911.

This is general information, not medical advice. Costs are typical US ranges, not quotes from any clinic listed here.

What a visit typically costs

Without insurance

Typical ranges, not quotes
  • Urgent care$229 – $445
  • Primary care$100 – $200
  • Hospital / ER$1,200 – $2,500+
$0$1,000$2,000$3,000+

With insurance (copay)

Typical ranges, not quotes
  • Urgent care$25 – $75
  • Primary care$20 – $40
  • Hospital / ER$150 – $500+
$0$200$400$600+

When to go to urgent care, and when to call 911

Urgent care is a good fit for

  • Fever
  • Sore throat
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Sprain or strain
  • Earache
  • Work / sports / school physical
  • Laceration
  • Puncture wound
  • Migraine headache
  • Sinus infection
  • Cough
  • Rash
  • Back pain
  • Car accident
  • Elevated blood pressure
  • General wellness exam

Call 911 or go to the ER for

  • Chest pain
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Sudden blurred vision
  • Numbness in face, arm, or leg, especially on one side
  • Weakness on one side of the body or difficulty speaking
  • Sudden, severe headache
  • Bleeding that won't stop
  • Coughing up or vomiting blood
  • Severe burns

Do not delay treatment for a serious medical problem.

Common reasons people visit urgent care

General information: urgent care centers handle non-emergency illness, injury and routine needs, usually the same day. Services differ from clinic to clinic, so check the listing or call ahead.

Illness

  • Cold & flu symptoms
  • Strep throat
  • Sinus infection
  • Ear infection
  • Bronchitis
  • Pneumonia (mild)

Injury

  • Sprains & strains
  • Minor fractures
  • Lacerations & cuts (stitches)
  • Puncture wounds
  • Burns (minor)
  • Animal & insect bites

Diagnostics & procedures

  • X-rays (on-site)
  • EKG / ECG
  • Lab tests & bloodwork
  • STD testing
  • Pregnancy testing
  • Drug screening

Preventive & routine

  • Sports physicals
  • School & camp physicals
  • Work / DOT physicals
  • Travel vaccinations
  • Flu shots
  • Tetanus boosters

Frequently asked questions

How many urgent care centers are in Des Moines, IA?

Des Moines, IA has 23 urgent care centers listed on UCL.

Are urgent care centers in Des Moines open on weekends?

10 of the 23 urgent care centers listed in Des Moines list Saturday hours and 10 list Sunday hours. Hours are not listed for 9, so call those to check. Holiday hours are often shorter; confirm with the clinic before a holiday visit.

Which urgent care centers in Des Moines are open late?

8 centers list weekday hours past 7 PM. They are named in the "Open late, weekends and 24 hours" lists on this page. Hours change, so call before a late visit.

Which urgent care is closest to the center of Des Moines?

East Des Moines Family Care Center is the listed urgent care center closest to the center of Des Moines, about 0.1 mi away. The list above shows verified clinics first, then the rest by distance from the city center.

What insurance do urgent care centers in Des Moines take?

On our listings, the networks named most often by Des Moines urgent care centers are Aetna (8), Cigna (7) and UMR (7), with the number of clinics in brackets. 10 of the 23 list at least one network. Call the clinic to confirm it takes your plan.

Do urgent care centers in Des Moines require an appointment?

Most urgent care centers accept walk-in patients without an appointment, though some offer optional online check-in. Call the clinic or check its listing to confirm its policy.

What does urgent care cost in Des Moines, IA?

A basic urgent care visit is typically billed $229–$445 before insurance (FAIR Health's 2023 regional averages); X-rays, lab tests and stitches add to that. Many clinics offer a lower self-pay price, so ask before you are seen. With insurance, you usually pay your plan's urgent care copay, often $25–$75. These are typical ranges, not quotes.

When should I go to urgent care vs the ER in Des Moines?

Go to urgent care for non-life-threatening illness or injury: fevers, sprains, infections, minor cuts, mild asthma, UTIs, flu, rashes. Go to the ER for chest pain, severe abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, sudden weakness or numbness, severe head injury, heavy bleeding, severe burns, or any potentially life-threatening symptom. When in doubt with a serious symptom, call 911.

Do urgent care centers in Des Moines treat children?

Most urgent care centers treat patients of all ages, including children, and some are pediatric-only; call ahead to check a clinic's minimum age. For infants under 6 months with a high fever, contact a pediatrician or the ER directly.

Can I get an X-ray, lab test, or stitches at urgent care in Des Moines?

Many urgent care centers offer on-site X-rays, basic lab tests (strep, flu, COVID, mono, UTI), IV fluids, sutures, and splints, but not all do. More advanced imaging (MRI, CT) typically requires a hospital. Call the clinic to confirm before you go.

Do urgent care centers in Des Moines prescribe antibiotics?

Yes. Urgent care providers can prescribe antibiotics for bacterial infections (strep throat, UTIs, sinus and ear infections, skin infections) when clinically appropriate. They follow CDC stewardship guidelines, so they will not prescribe antibiotics for viral illness like the common cold or most cases of bronchitis.

Can I do a telehealth visit instead of going to urgent care in Des Moines?

Some urgent care centers offer telehealth visits for non-emergency issues like cold and flu symptoms, prescription refills, rashes, or follow-up care. In-person visits are still required for X-rays, lab tests, and physical exams. Ask the clinic whether it offers telehealth.

For clinic owners

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